Brick Officials donate CDBG funds to local service organizations

Fourteen local service organizations were presented with checks at the Brick Council Meeting Tuesday night by to continue serving the community with this aid.

The checks granted last night by Mayor John G. Ducey and the town council range from $2,000.00 to $8,000.00 ($37,000.00 overall) and are funds Brick received through the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

The Township receives grant money from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant program every year which they in turn pass on to local service providers.

"The organizations that we are honored to support through our CDBG program have an enormous impact on our community and the Jersey Shore," Ducey said. "It is impossible to calculate how many lives are touched by and how many people will be helped by them. We are honored and privileged to help each one of these groups in their missions to make people's lives better."

Here is a list of all the organizations who received checks from Brick:

Community Services, Inc. of Ocean County/Meals on Wheels --- $7,000

Through its ‘Meals on Wheels’ program, Community Services Inc. provides nutritious meals to home-bound elderly in their own homes. The program also serves meals daily to seniors at the Brick Township Senior Center on Adamston Road. For more information, please call 732-367-1400 or the Brick Senior Center at 732-920-8686.

Church of the Epiphany, St. Vincent DePaul Society --- $3,000

Volunteers provide counseling to those in need to manage housing expenses and provide financial assistance to cover food, clothing, utilities and rent. For more information please call 732-458-0220.

Ocean County Hunger Relief --- $2,000

Ocean County Hunger Relief provides emergency food assistance for needy people. They operate 38 food pantries throughout Ocean County. They may be reached at 732-505-HELP.

Providence House --- $3,000

A division of Catholic Charities, Providence House provides a wide variety of services related to preventing domestic violence and assisting its victims. For many years, the Township has worked with Providence House to fight domestic violence in our community. Providence House may be reached at 732-350-2120.

Dottie’s House --- $2,000

Dottie’s House provides transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and their children. These grant funds will help offset the operating costs for the transitional housing facility. They may be reached at 732-295-7380.

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County --- $2,000

There are times when families face becoming homeless because of personal, financial or medical reasons. Interfaith Homeless Assistance provides a safety net program for Brick Township residents who face becoming homeless. They may be reached at 732-736-1550.

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter --- $2,000

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter advocates for, provides supports and empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, ensuring they are accepted and valued as citizens of our community. The Arc does this through vocational, recreational, family support, residential, transportation and primary medical care programs. Their phone number is 732-363-3335 ext. 115.

Ocean’s Harbor House --- $8,000

Ocean’s Harbor House provides free short-term shelter and crisis intervention for male and female youth ages 10-17. Any youth who is homeless, has runaway, been thrown away or abused, or is otherwise in need of immediate intervention may find help 24 hours a day at this safe haven. Their Shelter Services 24 Hours/Day Hotline is 732-929-0660 and their Outreach Center phone number is 732-929-0096.

Church of the Visitation --- $2,000

The Church of the Visitation on Mantoloking Road hosts a community lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. Lunches are free and available from 12pm-1pm. For more information call 732-255-2835.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County, Inc. --- $2,000

Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Ocean County provides community and site-based mentoring services for young people throughout the county. This year’s grant will help offset funds for Big Brothers to start a mentoring program in Brick’s elementary schools. They may be reached 732-905-5349.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey --- $2,000

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey is a non-profit interfaith organization that provides volunteers to assist frail elderly with simple daily tasks enabling them to live, with dignity, where they are most comfortable – in their own homes. And there is never a charge for help provided! Their phone number is 732-505-2273.

Jersey Shore Council Boy Scouts of America --- $2,000

Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America, headquartered in Toms River, serves more than 6,000 young people in four Jersey Shore counties: Atlantic, Ocean, Southeast Burlington and Ocean City in Cape May County. It is among the largest youth serving organizations in the state of New Jersey led by approximately 2,000 volunteers. For more information call 732-349-1037.

However, Ducey says he's concerned about how much longer the township will be able to continue this generosity following President Donald Trump's proposed federal budget which eliminates the CDBG program.

“The proposal to eliminate this funding shows an alarming lack of passion and empathy for the most vulnerable members of our society," Ducey said. "It is my hope that our leaders in Washington do not allow the CDBG program to be eliminated."